Tag Archives: hope

Hands down, this year’s major to-be-thankful-for item is my husband David’s remission from cancer. His diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia early in January was a jumpstart to a year of extreme faith.

I remember the first prayer we prayed: “Lord, cancer does not define us! Our faith in you does. Help us to remember that as you carry us through this journey.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Our hope is in God, our future is with God—whether here on earth or in Heaven.

We shook off our pre-planned 2016 agendas and headed to Boston, thankful we lived in close proximity to some of the best hospitals in the world. We are grateful for the expertise and experience of the caring medical teams who still treat David. We were blessed with help from family and friends—most especially the perfectly-matched stem cells from David’s sister, Darleen.

We didn’t fret or fear.We prayed and trusted God—not necessarily for David’s healing, but for God’s perfect will for our lives. We’re not naive. We know bad things happen to all people—whether they have faith in God or not. It’s hard to understand sometimes.

But Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) puts it this way: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”

We had no idea how this would turn out, yet we lived in the midst of a peace that goes way beyond our mere mortal comprehension. When you know God in a personal way, He does that sort of thing for you.

And it doesn’t matter if you’re in the midst of cancer, grief, marital strife, emotional turmoil, physical pain, failure, job loss, financial stress, or loneliness. He’s within a prayer’s reach–and it doesn’t have to be a fancy prayer either. Just open your heart to him; you’ll see.

We are so very thankful for our family and friends–for your prayers, moral support, kind words, warm hearts, open arms, and for taking the time to listen.

David still has a couple more months of a semi-quarantined lifestyle. He’ll start the re-immunization process after the first of the year. Until we see you again, we’ll continue to celebrate a remission accomplished!

CLARICE: What do you want readers to experience while reading your books?

ELLIE: I want to engage, to hook readers right off and keep them turning pages until they arrive at the meat of the novel.

CLARICE: Tell us about your books.

ELLIE: Dynamo is one of those page-turners, so readers tell me. Jeth Cavanaugh is searching for a new life along one of Pennsylvania’s mountain ridges when he stumbles upon a stable of show jumpers owned by Rob and Katie Chilton. Throw in a bad-tempered, gaited stallion named Dynamo, and Jeth will do anything to work there. He earns his living by training and showing Rob’s jumpers, but Dynamo is his primary passion. Everything changes when God enters his life—via a hard slap by an old girlfriend—and ignites a new, greater passion within him. But with that fervor comes fear at the undeniable evidence of God’s hand on his life. Inexplicable events, both good and bad, make him moan plaintively, “Why does God do this to me? I get the feeling I’m being set up for something.”

He is, indeed. Jeth’s life is anything but predictable, much like the God he serves. The real Dynamo and his ultimate trainer emerge out of an excruciating mix of disaster and brokenness, which are never beyond the reach of redemption. This story is God in your face: Who is He, really? What does He ask of us?

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. ~ Psalm 139:1-6 (NIV)

The Stones: A Novel of the Life of King David: Next to Jesus, David is my favorite Bible character. As I soaked in his story, I felt compelled to put flesh on the bones of history. The fascinating and complex characters who surrounded him—Joab, Absalom, Abigail, Benaiah, Ahithophel—needed a place to stand and be heard. Who were they? How did they influence David? Shepherd, warrior, musician, king, ladies’ man, lover of God, despicable sinner. Only God could use such a man, not only to establish the Israelite kingdom, but also to plant a seed—in the least likely of his wives—that would ultimately bear the righteous Son of David.

ELLIE: God put horses in my life early on, and each summer I was exposed to a show that featured some of the finest horseflesh on the East Coast. Though I never owned a horse, my experience back then made a permanent mark on my life. My passion for horses met my passion for God, and Dynamo came forth.

CLARICE: Do you have a story or two of how your books have impacted individuals for the glory of God?

ELLIE: One of my valued pre-readers had this to say concerning Dynamo: “On a personal note, I had recently been praying to be a weapon in the hand of God—a weapon of mass creation and healing, not a weapon of destruction. Shortly after praying this, I was able to read this book. Be encouraged, people. He is still VERY involved on this planet.”

After finishing The Stones, a reader said, “This book is one of just a few works of historical fiction that is truly life changing, and I know I will NEVER read the Psalms the same again. They now seem so much more relevant because I better understand the events and emotions from which they sprang. I also identify much more closely with the psalmists because I realize that they were just as human as I am. Pretty good outcome for such an exciting read!” [I won’t mention that my son posted this on Amazon. J ]

CLARICE: What lessons have you learned from this journey?

ELLIE: In Dynamo, Maybelle taught me along with Jeth. She’s a piece of work and serves as Jeth’s personal prophet and God interpreter. She loves Jeth and walks him through the spiritual minefield of God’s unusual activity in his life. Even before Jeth becomes a Christian, she somehow knows that God has chosen him for a special purpose. Drawing on Old Testament prophets, she feeds him passages that strike terror in his heart but that bolster him at critical moments. Mentor, yes; spiritual goad, yes; but tower of strength when Jeth desperately needs one. Maybelle became my spiritual mentor, as well, and I can’t begin to say all that David/Stones taught me.

CLARICE: Which is easier for you—coming up with a story idea or actually writing it?

ELLIE: Actually, neither of these is easy, but once I get a draft, then the fun begins. I love weeding out verbiage, polishing the rough edges of sentences, mining for metaphors that zing.

CLARICE: What writing projects are you currently working on?

ELLIE: I have a work, An Unpresentable Glory, that is tottering on the edge of hopeless. How do you knit together the disparate threads of gardening, politics, and American Indians? My valued pre-reader, mentioned above, thinks it could well fail but believes the last chapter to be worth the struggle of making it work.

CLARICE: Where can our readers (or listeners) meet you and get a copy of your books?

ELLIE: For copies, go to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD, and Christian bookstores. To meet me—hey, I’m here! I’m accessible by email egus@me.com . If you want a signed copy for someone, let me know, and I’ll mail it and tack on the Media Mail charge—$2.69.

Eleanor Gustafson is one of eight published authors who’ll be featured at the MEET & GREET LOCAL CHRISTIAN AUTHORS event scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2014 from 3:00 to 5:30 pm at Bonhoeffer’s Café & Espresso, 8 Franklin St., Nashua, New Hampshire. Guests will enjoy FREE admission, refreshments, book-signings, special discounts, and MULTIPLE door prizes–including a chance to win a Kindle Paperwhite! Click HERE to register! For more information, call Clarice James at 603-578-1860 or Cindy Saab at (978) 821-6547.

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.~ Psalm 9:18 (NIV)

CLARICE: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

SUSAN: Sitting in the audience at a large women’s conference, the transparency of one of the speakers really impacted me. I realized that the more genuine she was in sharing her difficult journey, the more the audience heard and felt God. Through her story, God was demonstrated so vividly. Soon, my own story started percolating – so much so that I could no longer be silent. I had to write! My sincere hope is that through my writing and sharing of my testimony, that people are encouraged and see how faithful God is!

CLARICE: How did you get involved in writing for publication?

SUSAN: I entered my first manuscript into a writing contest, hoping to win, but never really thinking I would. Imagine my shock when I learned I was the grand prize winner! The prize – my book, A Search for Purple Cows – A true story of hope, was published as a self-published title. Within two months of the release, I had a contract to release my book with a traditional publisher, Guidepost Books.

CLARICE: What do you want readers to experience while reading your books?

SUSAN: I want my readers to experience refreshing hope for life’s challenges. One of the biggest lies this world has to offer is that we’re the only one struggling and that everyone else has “life” all figured out. We’re not alone in our difficulties. I would love for readers to know that no matter what life has dealt them, they are not alone. God is available, present, and loves them. Life’s lions may be close but the same God that protected Daniel in the lion’s den can give each and every one of us His strength and peace.

CLARICE: What do you want your readers to know about you?

SUSAN: I’m an imperfect person following where God leads. My high school senior writing teacher told me I was an awful writer. She said I should “never write.” I’ve heard it said that God doesn’t call the qualified but qualifies the called. I guess I’m living proof! I think the second things I’d like my readers to know is that I love hearing how they’re impacted by my writing. The notes, feedback, and reviews encourage me to keep going. And, I’m always blessed to witness God touch the heart of someone through a word He’s allowed me to deliver.

CLARICE:Tell us a little bit about your book.

SUSAN:A Search for Purple Cows – A true story of hope is my memoir. A few years after marrying my husband, I realized that the idyllic life the world saw–a beautiful home, two wonderful children and everything a family could desire was a façade hiding my difficult truth. Behind closed doors, I was tormented by my husband’s alcoholism, domestic abuse, and infidelity. Through the unlikely source of a Christian radio station, God found me in the midst of my pain and brought me hope that fostered a new faith. I eventually found the strength to flee and start anew. Written with candor and grace, A Search for Purple Cows – A true story of hope will leave you laughing, crying, and believing that God is present and able, ready to bring hope and healing.

CLARICE: What inspired you to write this particular book?

SUSAN: My story deals with alcoholism, abuse, and infidelity, all topics that are remarkably common, yet often not talked about. I want others to know that there is hope. There is a way. And, they are not alone!

CLARICE: Has the Lord used you for his purposes through the writing and distribution of your book(s)?

SUSAN: I’ve been so blessed by watching God move through the release of my story. Both through speaking engagements and through my book, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with so many others who have shared a similar journey. From a woman in Arizona finally ready to get help to be safe, to the divorced single mom in New Jersey who had lost hope, I’ve had a front row seat watching God touch and change the lives of others with His peace and strength. My writing is a tangible modern-day example of Romans 8:28. The difficulties of a broken marriage marred by abuse and infidelity, is being used for good and bringing Him glory!

CLARICE: What are some resources you recommend to readers who want to learn more about the topics you address in your book?

Websites:

www.thehotline.org – The National Domestic Violence Hotline – A national resource available to assist with domestic violence. (1-800-799-7233)

www.divorcecare.org– DivorceCare is a divorce recovery program offering valuable resources dealing with the issues faced by those confronted with divorce or separation.

My newest project will be released mid October this year. I’ve written a short story “Secondhand Miracle” in A Cup of Christmas Cheer. Additionally as part of the book launch, I have an article in the October Guideposts magazine. In addition, I am currently working on my next book project. I’ve had the opportunity to pitch the abstract to a few publishers who are now waiting for my full proposal. Stay tuned for more information on that project. Readers can also find my blog online at www.susancall.com.

Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. ~ Psalm 62:4-6 (NIV)

Susan Heim Call is one of seven published authors who’ll be featured at the MEET & GREET LOCAL CHRISTIAN AUTHORS event scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2014 from 3:00 to 5:30 pm at Bonhoeffer’s Café & Espresso, 8 Franklin St., Nashua, New Hampshire. Guests will enjoy FREE admission, refreshments, book-signings, special discounts, and door prizes–including a chance to win a Kindle Paperwhite! Click HERE to register! For more information, call Clarice James at 603-578-1860 or Cindy Saab at (978) 821-6547.